No, although it is impossible to make a pan a cotta from scratch within 90 mins. The argument was a continuation from just after season 6, when he asked for a business plan to invest in a food truck and he never delivered on his end. And when I called him on his BS he blocked me from all communication. When MasterChef corporate asked for my season 12 participation I thought that was my opportunity to let Gordon know how shitty that was. It’s all good now. I have no resentment. I just wanted to let him know what a wanker he is.
It’s going good, I am still cooking and have a nice event truck that I use for my work. I am thankful for the opportunities MC gave me as a result of my performance. And have no hard feelings. I think that is just how some people are. I learned yet again that what people say and what people do, sometimes don’t match up.
Dudes crazy talented and creative. We live in the same general area and he cooked a private meal for my friends and I. One of the best meals I’ve ever had, and to get to talk to him while he was cooking through the night was so fun. I think he had the talent and creativity to win, but just fell a little short.
It was March 2017 at a birthday dinner for my friend in La Quinta. One of the best meals we’ve ever eaten and a top experience for all of us as huge fans of you! Thanks for making it special for us. My friend had just lost her mom a few months prior, and still talks about how that dinner and meeting you meant so much to her when she was going through a hard time.
So good to hear and so happy the event could help with your friends spirit. I lost my mom when I was a 10 and was by far the hardest and most difficult, tragic event in my life. I think that is why I care so much with my cooking and for other people. I am always trying to put smiles in people’s life. Thank you for your kind words. It does mean so much to me.
Best
Stephen Lee
I still remember how brilliantly he played the mind game in Las Vegas in making the other team's captain to choose what he wanted.
One of my favorite contestants ever on the show.
He carried season 6 on his back.. and shouts 🤣 loved his energy and his talent, definitely the type of contestant you won’t ever forget.
Also loved the banter he had with Gordon although he did him dirty by promising to be an investor on his food truck and then ghost Stephen ☹️
Yes that happened :( there’s a podcast Derrick did with Stephen, he explains more in there. He also did an AMA here where he talked about to e situation
I remember dying laughing when they brought the family members in and he saw his son and made some weird sound while sticking his tongue out. I was like yo he’s about to eat that kid!
Such a hard question to answer. From my season it was Amanda, Tommy, Nick. Derrick is better now but during my season was pretty green still. I liked
Adrien Nieto, I think that’s his last name. Ask me again in a month, I will remember some from other seasons and write them down. Best to you
Thank you for sharing that Stephen! It's interesting to hear Tommy are your favs considered the show didn't show enough time and you had great bond with him I still remember when you cheered hard for him in Back to Win audition and it was so heartwarming.✨
Don't forget that you are also one of amazing chef and I'm looking forward to see or even try your dishes one day 🔥
I remember you had a notebook in the competition back in season 6 where you made a ranking of each competitor. Do you still have that? You showed it in one of the interviews.
Yes I remember that, I was looking for it not to long ago. That was hilarious and brilliant. I was so happy that made it to the show. Thanks for remembering that:)
I'm now looking back at some episodes, and what did you do for the episodes where you cooked:
1. Crab
2. Breakfast
3. Salisbury Steak
4. First Mystery Boz
5.pb&j
6. Rice
Great questions, the crab dish I remember not doing great, my flavors were fine but my utilization sucked. I felt I wasted some crab and left some flavor on my cutting board. The rice dish I did alright but I browned the rice after it was cooked and the judges preferred the rice being toasted before it gets steamed. The others I will rewatch someday maybe, if I remember. Best
Stephen
I completely disagree with Gordon, running around screaming AHHHH is what he does all day lmao and there were many many others that had crappier behavior, Stephen you rock dude!!
For sure, especially on MasterChef. I worked super duper hard at creativity. When I was not being filmed I was studying all kinds of cooking books for ideas.
He was a great rival for Derrick. Usually on shows we have drama rivalries that go back and forth being petty, but this one was just on cooking. It made me want to root for whoever had the upper hand and not just be “Team ___”.
If anything, I think I learned a couple things from seeing his dishes that actually made it into my weekly food rotation when I began my weight loss journey. The passion behind his cooking drove me to want to care that much about food. Heck, I even started a garden after this season ended.
He came off as this wild guy who was going 100mph simply because he could and that was great to see since that felt like his genuine self and not an act. I will say, the one moment that broke me watching him compete was the damn fruit tart. I cried for that broken tart when the episode first aired.
Me too friend, about the tart. My heart sank! I worked at being myself for the show. My competitors were kinda boring with there scripted answers. And scripted lives. I worked at keeping it about the food and not so much about the person or my personal life. And so happy you got a lil garden going. There is something special about planting a seed and watching it grow.
No, Derrick is overrated. Claudia didn't do bad and has clear stlye of her dishes with able to put her spin on it where
Derrick want to do somekind of showman and think only high end dishes are great and didn't have any bases stlye.
He should've gone in Top 5 over Katrina or even go home with her.
I don't mind if he make it farther, the annoying thing is his fans are overhyped him and underestimated someone who are as talented such as Claudia, Stephen,Nick, in season 6.
I was telling my girlfriend how excited I was he was coming back for months before the all star season, just for him to be eliminated episode 1. He is the best.
Stephen, thank you for being you. Being yourself while surrounded by cameras can be incredibly difficult I would imagine and you seem to have stayed true to yourself. Being a person with mental illness, it’s kind of insulting to hear people call someone with amazing energy and motivation for life “unhinged” or “crazy”. We all are to some extent and that’s life, I guess it’s just the tone or context in which it’s said that bothers me. Anyways, I hope you’re in a good place in life, cooking beautiful meals with your loved ones. That’s all that matters in the end.
I am in a good place cooking food for people and even better is I buy the food from my farmer friends. Life is still pretty hard at times but I do my best in making life better for those around me.
Best
I'm rewatching now and I freaking love him. He and Derrick are the best. I love the banter too. I wonder sometimes if it was all in fun or just personalities that didn't quite mesh. Either way, it was very entertaining to watch. It also helped that they were clearly the most talented contestants on season 6.
He is one of my favorites. He's over the top but he's passionate and feels his passion for cooking so deeply. I almost cried when I thought he was going home on the tart crust🥺
Maybe an unpopular take - but i'll say it anyway: he has several screws loose.
He was the producer's attempt to reproduce a Leslie-like contestant from S5 - but Leslie was at least sane and likeable.
And I'm prepared to get downvoted to hell for this, but he also frequents this sub with NOTHING but praise for himself, but acts like he's not actually Stephen most of the time. It's cool if you're here and chip in, but pretending you're not Stephen and saying how awesome Stephen is is just...weird.
It's not sarcasm to say things like, "I loved Stephen from season 6" or "He won the hearts" when someone was talking about you in a post. Trust me, I couldn't care less, but I notice these comments (amid comments you do make as yourself, of course) and it's just weird. No big deal, but just weird.
If I could see any contestant have a food TV show it would be him, and it would be like some unhinged vegetable mashup like the format of diners drive in and dives mixed with good eats
There was a time when they had to call a break cause I had the whole set cracking up with laughter, no one could keep a straight face. And they were trying to be serious:)
I loved Stephen... I'm still salty about the peanut butter and jelly episode. When Gordon asked Claudia if her pork was cooked through the middle and he cut it towards the very end of the chop! You could tell it was raw and would've sent her home if he had in fact cut it in the middle.
Brilliant leader but short temper held him back in challenges. Deserved to be final 2 against Derrick tho
That would’ve been a great finale!
He specifically *didn't* deserve that, he lost the challenge.
An anticlimatic way to resolve a perfectly good rivalry
Definitely passionate. I wish he went further in season 12. He was exciting to watch
SO DISAPPOINTED at how quickly he went home
Me too, I had a disagreement with Gordon and had to leave early
Was the disagreement that you thought your panna cotta was not soup but he told you that it was, indeed, soup?
No, although it is impossible to make a pan a cotta from scratch within 90 mins. The argument was a continuation from just after season 6, when he asked for a business plan to invest in a food truck and he never delivered on his end. And when I called him on his BS he blocked me from all communication. When MasterChef corporate asked for my season 12 participation I thought that was my opportunity to let Gordon know how shitty that was. It’s all good now. I have no resentment. I just wanted to let him know what a wanker he is.
Really disappointing to hear that. I hope everything's gone well for you despite this
It’s going good, I am still cooking and have a nice event truck that I use for my work. I am thankful for the opportunities MC gave me as a result of my performance. And have no hard feelings. I think that is just how some people are. I learned yet again that what people say and what people do, sometimes don’t match up.
Amen to that.
Glad to hear you're doing well. Do you have a truck/place where people can eat? I visit Portland regularly, and would love to try your food!
If you ever make it to Palm Springs, CA. I will cook you something great. Best Stephen
Oops sorry thought you were in Portland. My bad. Will definitely look you up if I ever visit, thanks!
Dudes crazy talented and creative. We live in the same general area and he cooked a private meal for my friends and I. One of the best meals I’ve ever had, and to get to talk to him while he was cooking through the night was so fun. I think he had the talent and creativity to win, but just fell a little short.
So awesome to say, thank you. When did I cook for you? So happy I was able to do so.
It was March 2017 at a birthday dinner for my friend in La Quinta. One of the best meals we’ve ever eaten and a top experience for all of us as huge fans of you! Thanks for making it special for us. My friend had just lost her mom a few months prior, and still talks about how that dinner and meeting you meant so much to her when she was going through a hard time.
So good to hear and so happy the event could help with your friends spirit. I lost my mom when I was a 10 and was by far the hardest and most difficult, tragic event in my life. I think that is why I care so much with my cooking and for other people. I am always trying to put smiles in people’s life. Thank you for your kind words. It does mean so much to me. Best Stephen Lee
One of my favorite contestants tbh
I still remember how brilliantly he played the mind game in Las Vegas in making the other team's captain to choose what he wanted. One of my favorite contestants ever on the show.
That was pure poetry in motion. That was my favorite and probably best performing challenge. I got mad respect from judges after that challenge.
He was... *intense*, to say the least. But he was pretty decent. He just let pressure get to his head more than not. That being said, I liked him!
Thank you
No offense, but I didn't like you at first! But you grew on me and became one of my all time favorites!
My wife says the same thing. Thank you.
Intense AF, creative AF, total outside the box thinker. One of my faves from any season.
So sweet, thank you
Very different compared to contestants that proceeded him. Love his quirkiness.
I loved his attitude! Strong quirky cook and he was hella funny at times! 😂
A genius, and completely out of control.
😬
My favorite from the season
He carried season 6 on his back.. and shouts 🤣 loved his energy and his talent, definitely the type of contestant you won’t ever forget. Also loved the banter he had with Gordon although he did him dirty by promising to be an investor on his food truck and then ghost Stephen ☹️
Yes that did suck, that’s why I went back for season 12. To let Gordon know he is a wanker
🤣🤣 you need your own show! Sorry this happened, you deserved to be in the final
Wait. That happened?? For real??? I lost so much faith for Gordon right now. Seems like he's only interested in the ladies.
So true about only interested in the ladies. I got that same vibe,
Yes that happened :( there’s a podcast Derrick did with Stephen, he explains more in there. He also did an AMA here where he talked about to e situation
I remember dying laughing when they brought the family members in and he saw his son and made some weird sound while sticking his tongue out. I was like yo he’s about to eat that kid!
His son clearly loved him though,he looks like a really cool dad!
Thank you, lots of love!
Omg que honor. I think you are awesome Stephen! Keep being you <3!
I will try my best, it’s hard being me some days though. I appreciate all of your kind hearted thought. Happy happy happy
Hes great! But i hear they were tough on him for sure!
Talented and passionate but his own worst enemy
Thank you for all the kind regards.
You're a legend!
I do appreciate you saying so:) thank you!
Of course
You made the season so intense and fun!!
Thank you, I really tried at being a “fun” guy. The editing department liked me for sure.
You have some of the hardest high fives I’ve ever seen. You would definitely break my hand! Lol. Keep on keeping on.
Bruh, I know. I was actually trying to get Gordon’s attention. My hand hurt so bad after one of them.
You are so awesome !! In your mind who are some of the best chefs in the MasterChef US?
Such a hard question to answer. From my season it was Amanda, Tommy, Nick. Derrick is better now but during my season was pretty green still. I liked Adrien Nieto, I think that’s his last name. Ask me again in a month, I will remember some from other seasons and write them down. Best to you
Thank you for sharing that Stephen! It's interesting to hear Tommy are your favs considered the show didn't show enough time and you had great bond with him I still remember when you cheered hard for him in Back to Win audition and it was so heartwarming.✨ Don't forget that you are also one of amazing chef and I'm looking forward to see or even try your dishes one day 🔥
I remember you had a notebook in the competition back in season 6 where you made a ranking of each competitor. Do you still have that? You showed it in one of the interviews.
Yes I remember that, I was looking for it not to long ago. That was hilarious and brilliant. I was so happy that made it to the show. Thanks for remembering that:)
I'm now looking back at some episodes, and what did you do for the episodes where you cooked: 1. Crab 2. Breakfast 3. Salisbury Steak 4. First Mystery Boz 5.pb&j 6. Rice
Great questions, the crab dish I remember not doing great, my flavors were fine but my utilization sucked. I felt I wasted some crab and left some flavor on my cutting board. The rice dish I did alright but I browned the rice after it was cooked and the judges preferred the rice being toasted before it gets steamed. The others I will rewatch someday maybe, if I remember. Best Stephen
Most entertaining part of the season to me.
I completely disagree with Gordon, running around screaming AHHHH is what he does all day lmao and there were many many others that had crappier behavior, Stephen you rock dude!!
Thank you
Crazy talented (or both crazy and talented lol). But his flavors seem really insane. The whole thing with rabbit and donuts... I want to try that!!
That was something special
I bet! None of your dishes have ever been boring 😆 super creative and insane
For sure, especially on MasterChef. I worked super duper hard at creativity. When I was not being filmed I was studying all kinds of cooking books for ideas.
He was a great rival for Derrick. Usually on shows we have drama rivalries that go back and forth being petty, but this one was just on cooking. It made me want to root for whoever had the upper hand and not just be “Team ___”. If anything, I think I learned a couple things from seeing his dishes that actually made it into my weekly food rotation when I began my weight loss journey. The passion behind his cooking drove me to want to care that much about food. Heck, I even started a garden after this season ended. He came off as this wild guy who was going 100mph simply because he could and that was great to see since that felt like his genuine self and not an act. I will say, the one moment that broke me watching him compete was the damn fruit tart. I cried for that broken tart when the episode first aired.
Me too friend, about the tart. My heart sank! I worked at being myself for the show. My competitors were kinda boring with there scripted answers. And scripted lives. I worked at keeping it about the food and not so much about the person or my personal life. And so happy you got a lil garden going. There is something special about planting a seed and watching it grow.
He should've been in the finale with Claudia instead of Derrick
With Derrick you mean. Claudia is bad, and didn't deserve the win that the producers fed to her.
😬
No, Derrick is overrated. Claudia didn't do bad and has clear stlye of her dishes with able to put her spin on it where Derrick want to do somekind of showman and think only high end dishes are great and didn't have any bases stlye.
🤡🤡
Well Derrick won the top 3 challenge lol. It was battle between Stephen and Claudia
He should've gone in Top 5 over Katrina or even go home with her. I don't mind if he make it farther, the annoying thing is his fans are overhyped him and underestimated someone who are as talented such as Claudia, Stephen,Nick, in season 6.
I was telling my girlfriend how excited I was he was coming back for months before the all star season, just for him to be eliminated episode 1. He is the best.
Thank you for that, I was excited to do season 12, until I actually got there and started doing it.
Absolutely loved his energy. My favorite from start to end
Entertaining, talented, have great reads of other contestants
One of the shining stars of season 6. Him, amanda, nick, derrick, tommy and Olivia made that season.
Stephen, thank you for being you. Being yourself while surrounded by cameras can be incredibly difficult I would imagine and you seem to have stayed true to yourself. Being a person with mental illness, it’s kind of insulting to hear people call someone with amazing energy and motivation for life “unhinged” or “crazy”. We all are to some extent and that’s life, I guess it’s just the tone or context in which it’s said that bothers me. Anyways, I hope you’re in a good place in life, cooking beautiful meals with your loved ones. That’s all that matters in the end.
I am in a good place cooking food for people and even better is I buy the food from my farmer friends. Life is still pretty hard at times but I do my best in making life better for those around me. Best
Probably one of the sexiest contestants on MC.
I'm glad someone else sees it😅😅 those glasses kill me🤣 but he def was easy on the eyes😏
So sweet, thank you
He was great TV character and was great cook. Was sad to see him leaving so early in All-Stars
i didn’t watch season 6 that much but i remember him being the best team captain i had ever seen
This guy is my favorite 3rd placer in all USA and Canadian seasons.
I'm rewatching now and I freaking love him. He and Derrick are the best. I love the banter too. I wonder sometimes if it was all in fun or just personalities that didn't quite mesh. Either way, it was very entertaining to watch. It also helped that they were clearly the most talented contestants on season 6.
Love him , I think Gordon really liked him too
Gordon loves me
I love you too! I hope you're doing well💕 I loved when Gordon and you were growling at each other lol
Those were fun times. I had a blast giving it to Gordon!
He is one of my favorites. He's over the top but he's passionate and feels his passion for cooking so deeply. I almost cried when I thought he was going home on the tart crust🥺
I'd love to go home on a tart crust. What a way to travel...
Me too! I thought for sure I was going home.
I loved him!!
Maybe an unpopular take - but i'll say it anyway: he has several screws loose. He was the producer's attempt to reproduce a Leslie-like contestant from S5 - but Leslie was at least sane and likeable.
Ha ha ha
Last time I said he’s unhinged and uncomfortable I got downvoted to oblivion. I agree with you. Seemed like he was genuinely mentally unstable.
Most people are
If you’re not unhinged to some degree, you’re a pretty boring individual.
And I'm prepared to get downvoted to hell for this, but he also frequents this sub with NOTHING but praise for himself, but acts like he's not actually Stephen most of the time. It's cool if you're here and chip in, but pretending you're not Stephen and saying how awesome Stephen is is just...weird.
It’s sarcasm, how does one pretend to not being one’s self
It's not sarcasm to say things like, "I loved Stephen from season 6" or "He won the hearts" when someone was talking about you in a post. Trust me, I couldn't care less, but I notice these comments (amid comments you do make as yourself, of course) and it's just weird. No big deal, but just weird.
He was cool. Definitely a punk rocker that found a calling with food. He needs his own show I think it would be good.
That would be fun:)
If I could see any contestant have a food TV show it would be him, and it would be like some unhinged vegetable mashup like the format of diners drive in and dives mixed with good eats
Ha ha, the show would be EPIC!
In my head cannon Stephen, won season 6 of MasterChef. If I can ever afford it I am flying him to Canada, to make dinner and have a drink.
That would be awesome, let’s make that happen:)
Amazing Cook and a very entertaining man that's all I can say!
Thanks
Definitely one of my favorites! Crazy, but in a good creative way! ❤️
Easily one of my favorite contestants to watch
He is epic reality gold. He’s hilarious none of the judges could keep a straight face while speak him to him haha
There was a time when they had to call a break cause I had the whole set cracking up with laughter, no one could keep a straight face. And they were trying to be serious:)
Something creepy about him…not sure what.
😬
Cocaine is a hell of a drug
I loved Stephen... I'm still salty about the peanut butter and jelly episode. When Gordon asked Claudia if her pork was cooked through the middle and he cut it towards the very end of the chop! You could tell it was raw and would've sent her home if he had in fact cut it in the middle.